Vinko suggested visiting Belgrade, David opted out and I decided to join. Going with car would be cheaper but during holiday season we would wait 6 hourse on border. So we took flight wit Air Serbia, 200€ return ticket.
Table of Contents
Friday
On Friday we left early from work, met at gas station and drove to Brnik airport. We parked there for 35€. Vinko searched for wallet.
The flight was on small ATR 72-600, seat by the window (13F), got water and cookies, some turbolenece on takeoff and landing. It was raining in Belgrade, at ATM took 10.000 RSD (90€ with 5€ fee) we took public bus #72, that is free of charge. On the bus crowded, warm, sweaty. Area around airport is ugly, than came Novi Beograd with block of flats and after Brankov most we went down on Zeleni venac statoion after 1 hour ride. From there we had short walk to Marshal garni 4* hotel. I paid 220€ + 7.5€ tax for 3 nights. Hotel was average, staff helpful, on great location, big bed, had to wait for hot water in bathroom and it would get warm in room as it was on sunny side.
After shower we went out for dinner in Mihailo restaurant around the corner, without reservation we had to change tables in between. Hipster kind of balkan grill, 10x ćevapi, chopped onions, kajmak, fries, and 2x beer was 23€.
We should meet with Mateja, but she had some work to do. We went to bar Witch for some beers 4.5€ and cocktails 7€ (barman showed some skills). Later we searched for a club. We finished in 20/44, place with electronic music on 4 different floors. Small beer was 6€. We returend to hotel around 2am.
Saturday
On Saturday I woke up early. spent some time on phone before Vinko woke up. We went for breakfast, again close, to Jazz restaurant. I had shashuka (yolk was hard, spicy) and fresh orange juice, 15€.
It was time for a walk around city center and visit Kalemegdan fort. Then we walked to Belgrade waterfront (wrong instructions at hotel) and to shopping mall, bought wine 45€. With taxi (7€) we moved to Dardaneli restaurant (owned by son of Lepa Brena) where we met Nikola. We had some nice grilled meat, beef and pork (bajaderice), some potatoes, spicy pappers, moravska salad, rakija, baklava in milk and paid 150€ with tip.
Vinko went to hotel and I went to Saša and Olga to Banov brdo with taxi, 8€. We had nice chat in their home and some snacks (uštipci, home made cold cuts, ajvar, …). Another taxi to hotel, 12€. And from there on we moved again in search of clubs. Before club we went to Dok bar with live music, we got space by the bar. We finished in Ben Akiba club (Joma Maja, 5€), 2 floors, crowded, back problem. We went to hotel at 4am.
Sunday
On Sunday I woke again early but stayed in bed. We went out late. Walked to Skadarlija and sat for early lunch at 3 šešira. I had čačnski ćevapi with kajmak, ajvar, baked potatos, lepinja, rakija and beer for 25€. Later we sat in bar at Trg republike, coca cola was 3€. I met with Saša at Kalemgdanska terasa for a beer and nice chat with view. For dinner we went to restaurnt Proljeće, I had pljeskavica with beef and polutry, cheese kačkavlja, onions with fries and beer, 17€. In the evening we went around, searched for a bar or club (Andrijana Belović at 20/44), most places were closed, some needed reservation. Returned to hotel at midnight.
Monday
On Monday it was holiday, Easter, back home. Again I woked up early. This time I went out and walked to Kalemegdan and from there to church St Sava.
Back to hotel I took a bus. After a shower it was time for check out. Went for last drink at Kalemgdan, 3€.
We took a bus to Verona restaurant where we met with Igor and Danko. We ate there mixed meat plate from lamb (pleskavica, ćevapi, sausages, fries, spicy paper, cabagge salad) with 3x beer it was 20€ per person.
We went back to hotel to pickup luggage. Didn’t took taxi but bus to airport. Mistake, we almost missed plane, run over airport, got to gate before boarding was finished. Another flight by window (11F). From airport Vinko drove me home, I unpacked ate dinner and fell asleep in front of TV.
In general, it was bit pricy weekend for Belgrade. We flew there, took hotel on good spot, didn’t hold back on food or drinks. But it was needed escape for me. I went to places with electronic music more than I usually do in 10 years. Again, I met many friends living there. That was highlight for me. In Belgrade you will find many casinos and pharmacies, food is great, everybody lives for night life, price range covers. It is good option for city-scape.